Messages

1

Software & Accessories / Re: Is there a good looking camera bag anywhere in the world??

« on: September 06, 2012, 05:34:55 AM »

Hi Guys,

I second the suggestions of NG and Billingham. I use the older version of the Medium NG backpack, which is really great for traveling. Enough space for my camera gear and lot's of space left for other stuff. For short trips or street photography I use the Billingham Hadley Pro, which I find really functional and good-looking.

Cheers, Robert

2

Portrait / Re: Mina

« on: June 21, 2012, 10:45:17 PM »

Hi,

Thanks for all of your comments!

[...]I'm not sure how I feel about the watch though - it's slightly distracting.
The B&W conversion looks great on all of these images.  What did you use?

I was thinking of letting her take of the watch but decided against it. My thought was, if she is wearing one, it can be on the picture.

I am using Lightroom for managing my pictures and exposure correction, Silver Efex Pro for b/w conversion.

Call me old school but I've always like eye contact in portraits.

Interesting. I like both, the direct eye contact for its impact, the candids for their naturalness feel. Honestly, I did not really notice that in this series nearly none of them does not have eye contact.

Cheers, Robert

3

Portrait / Re: Mina

« on: June 20, 2012, 01:44:43 AM »

And a few more ...

4

Portrait / Mina

« on: June 20, 2012, 01:43:51 AM »

A few portraits of Mina. Any comments or suggestions are appreciated.

5

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon to Announce 2 Cameras in June [CR2]

« on: May 17, 2012, 12:10:59 AM »

Hi guys,

I also cannot imagine a FF mirrorless, though I'd buy one if it is at $3K with a decent 50mm. EF is not a must if it limits Canon's ability to produce lenses of a smaller size, befitting a compact system. Small lenses are really a must here. Why would I need a mirrorless if I'd put a 70-200/2.8 in front? APS-C would be OK as well, anything smaller disappointing (Bokeh!).

But I guess us geeks, looking for a second option next to our DSLR, is not the main market that Canon wants to target, so their considerations might be different.

Cheers, Robert

6

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5D3 Rate button

« on: May 08, 2012, 11:24:03 AM »

I love it as well!

I shoot a lot when traveling and travel without any computer. Until now I could only delete unnecessary pictures and I was always thinking it'd be nice to rate while still on the road.

I did not expected it but was very happy when I read about that feature in the 5D3 announcement.

Cheers, Robert

7

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: D800 v. 5D3 threads: What should Canon's takeaway be?

« on: May 02, 2012, 09:05:06 AM »

It isn't that this is something to be agreed with - it's just that your style of photography doesn't benefit from capturing a single frame with a high dynamic range.
[...]
These are big ifs. Just because this is when you put down your camera, doesn't mean it's when I put down my camera.

You are right, this is about my preferences and I did not intent to generalize.

But I'd be interesting to know: what are the practical situations where you'd crave for more DR? I personally never encountered a situation where I thought "uh, if I just had more DR, this crappy picture would have been great".

Cheers, Robert

8

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: A former Nikon user's thoughts on his first 24 hours with the 5D Mark III

« on: May 02, 2012, 07:17:24 AM »

5) I REALLY MISS SPOT METERING LINKED TO MY AUTOFOCUS POINT.  It's going to take me a while to figure out how best to meter even when just shooting basic portraits.

Yeah, if I'd had one wish in regard to my 5D3 it would also be the addition of spot-metering linked to the AF point.

Cheers, Robert

9

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: What can I do with my old 350d?

« on: May 02, 2012, 07:05:57 AM »

Modify it for infrared photography and have some fun.

http://www.outbackphoto.com/reviews/equipment/digital_ir/digital_ir.html

Cheers, Robert

10

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: D800 v. 5D3 threads: What should Canon's takeaway be?

« on: May 02, 2012, 06:25:15 AM »

A solution for increased dynamic range on the sensor is to learn how to light properly.
[...]
After all, photography is actually about making exposures WITH LIGHT.

I have to agree here. Owned a 30D before, now have a 5D3. I don't see how the increase in dynamic range between the two has improved my photography and neither believe any further increase would do so.

If your subject is well-lit, the DR of any recent DSLR should suffice. If light gets too harsh outdoors, then it is time to stop anyway, because you'll have other quality issues than DR. And even in those cases where light is good but uneven, e. g. indoors with sun-beams falling in, I never thought a few burned spots hurt a photo that is good otherwise. Here is an example: http://www.the-ninth.com/index.php?mode=display&area=gallery&aid=27&page=2&pid=593.

Cheers, Robert

11

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Advice: On buying 5D3.

« on: April 26, 2012, 01:42:43 AM »

However after looking at the DXO ratings, and the Fred Miranda review (in regards to pulling the shadows up to par with the image) i can't help to feel betrayed by Canon. it looks like the D800 jus took a HUGE DUMP on Canon.

With all of this said, how can i justify dropping 3.5K on this camera? I've started off with 7D so i haven't seen the what seems to be the disappointment of the 5D II AF system. I have the money, i'm ready to spend. I just need the convincing that this will be a worthwhile investment.

First, all of the these reviews seem artificial to me. The 30D I had before the 5D3 took great pictures but has a DXO rating of 59. So I don't think the difference between rating 81 and 95 of the 5D3 and D800 is practically relevant.

My reasons for upgrading from the 30D were AF, full-frame, high-ISO performance, the large 100% viewfinder, C-modes and the battery grip with joystick.

Many of these things are addressed by the 7D already, which is a pretty modern camera. So if you don't need the last bit of high-ISO performance or are into the low depth-of-field of full-frame, then you should stick with your 7D and wait a generation or two before upgrading to the next body.

Personally I'd never consider a body upgrade if the old one is younger than 5 years, if there is not a very specific itch that I'd like to scratch.

Cheers, Robert

12

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5DII Vs 5DIII for my needs

« on: April 17, 2012, 12:08:58 AM »

If you want a state-of-the-art AF, suitable for low-light and action, then you need the 5D3.

Not quite correct as the 5DII has class leading AF on the centre point in low light.

I agree the center point is golden in low light

Yes, you guys are right. I myself make heavy use of the outer points, that's why the center point alone never made me happy. But if the center point suffices, already the 30D was not bad and I am sure the 5D2 isn't either.

Cheers, Robert

13

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5DII Vs 5DIII for my needs

« on: April 16, 2012, 04:31:21 PM »

Well, I wanted newer and better but I wasn't expecting the price difference. That's what sparked the whole issue of which to buy. I was figuring on the new one coming it at the same price point. I thought wrong =)

I'd take the AF as differentiator then. If you want a state-of-the-art AF, suitable for low-light and action, then you need the 5D3. In all other aspects both 5D2 and 5D3 will both be a big step up from the 30D, while the difference between them is comparably small. There is a lot of little things that the 5D3 is better in, but none of them weighs up the nice lens missing in your line-up that you could buy for the money saved.

Cheers, Robert

14

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5DII Vs 5DIII for my needs

« on: April 16, 2012, 11:49:18 AM »

Hi,

What made you wait for the 5D3 in the first place?

I was coming from a 30D as well, wanting to upgrade to fullframe and I was not happy with the 30Ds AF. I figured the AF of the 5D2 was not much better, so I waited, Canon delivered with the 5D3, which I am now shooting happily.

Cheers

15

Street & City / Re: Iran

« on: April 15, 2012, 04:04:57 AM »

Im jealous, those are great picture of a beautiful country!
(stupid F______ politicians, ruining ties with such a friendly place).

You are right, politicians on both sides are really screwing up here.

But the other sad thing from tourist point of view is that if relations would be good, no sanctions, no war talk, then the place would be overrun and would loose lots of its charm. It is incredible to be in places like the main square of Isfahan or Persepolis near Shiraz with no other foreign tourists around.

Cheers, Robert